Correlates of College Women's Sexual Assault Resistance Self-Efficacy

Studies suggest that actively fighting back against an attacker is effective in decreasing the severity and completion of a sexual assault, yet little is known about the factors that contribute to women's confidence in fighting back. Accordingly, the present study examines correlates of college...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kiefer, Reina (Author)
Contributors: Peterson, Roselyn ; Orchowski, Lindsay M.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Violence against women
Year: 2025, Volume: 31, Issue: 3/4, Pages: 981-999
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
resistance self-efficacy
Sexual Victimization
college women
Description
Summary:Studies suggest that actively fighting back against an attacker is effective in decreasing the severity and completion of a sexual assault, yet little is known about the factors that contribute to women's confidence in fighting back. Accordingly, the present study examines correlates of college women's self-efficacy in resisting unwanted sexual advances (N = 650). Results suggest that fewer psychological barriers to resistance, greater sexual communication, increased use of dating self-protective behaviors, and greater sexual assertiveness were associated with increased sexual resistance self-efficacy. Findings underscore the importance of developing sexual assault prevention programs that increase women's confidence in fighting back.
ISSN:1552-8448
DOI:10.1177/10778012231222492